5.5 pounds of methamphetamine and 3,000 fentanyl pills allegedly found during a traffic stop near Pocatello, Feb. 8, 2024. (Photo: Idaho State Police)
BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho — Law enforcement located a large stash of illegal drugs during a traffic stop near Pocatello. The incident occurred early Thursday morning.
According to the Idaho State Police, troopers with the Domestic Highway Enforcement Team (DHE) initiated a traffic stop on a 2013 Chrysler 300 for an equipment violation. During the Feb. 8 stop, the occupants raised suspicion of criminal activity, and a trained drug detection canine was deployed, which alerted troopers to the odor of illegal drugs coming from inside the vehicle.
As a result, a probable cause search revealed the discovery and seizure of approximately 5.5 pounds of methamphetamine and 3,000 fentanyl pills hidden inside a spare tire.
Sgt. Curt Sproat said, “This seizure underscores the relentless efforts of law enforcement to combat illegal drugs in our communities. The dangers associated with these illicit substances cannot be overstated as they pose a grave threat to public health and safety in our communities. We are committed to removing them from our streets.”
The occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody pending further investigation.
The DHE Team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency, prosecutor-supported approach. The Team is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, also composed of members from the Idaho State Police, which is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.
Sproat said, “We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Together, we can work towards a safer, drug-free environment for all.”